Road To Ruin: From Tejas, With Love.

I am writing this post as a follow up to Online Dating: A List of Messaging Don’ts.

Profiles are a window into who you are, they say a lot even if they say hardly anything.  I know I sometimes overdo my Likes on Facebook but it is my profile with my friends and family on there, it happens.  Online dating on the other hand, think of it as a resume to your love life.  Here’s some pointers:

Do not overdo it and write a massive amount.

This isn’t a 13 page essay and I don’t want to read on and on and on and on and on… You get the idea.  Depending on what section it is, keep it to where it’s does not look overcrowded.

Do not under do it either.

Nothing says nothing about you.  A couple of lines that aren’t informative say almost the same.  Keep the attention, don’t seem like the bottle is empty.

1. Example, Nothing Much: “On a typical Friday night I am: Finding something interesting to do.”  I did not learn anything from that.  Explain something interesting please.

Don’t be negative.

I do not feel interested in Debbie Downers and neither are other people.  I already have enough issues in my life and I don’t want to hear about how crappy your life is or about how the opposite/same sex doesn’t respond to you.  Wonder why?  Negativity means no.  Stay on the bright side, don’t make it a rainy day.

Don’t get confusing.

Sometimes our professions or interests get the best of us.  It’s awesome if you want to explain it but don’t go into complicated stuff few know of.  This means don’t go into explaining what’s already written on Wookiepedia [Yes, I am a Star Wars fan] and it also means don’t talk technical about computer engineering, philosophy, religion, the military, your hobbies, etc.  I want to understand you when I’m reading your profile; I don’t want to end up looking up what your Wall Street talk means on Google.

Don’t use useless details.

It’s pretty pointless if you’re not going to get to a point, the point.

1. Example A, Useless: “Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Grumpy Old Men (1993), The Sting (1973), Lean On Me (1989), Boyz N Da Hood (1991), South Central (1992), Blood Done Sign My Name (2010), The Jerk (1979)…”  Thank you for telling me your favorite movies but the dates, I don’t need to know.

Use proper spelling and grammar.

I said this in the last post.  I don’t want to see messages written by a 3rd grader and I don’t want to see you write like you’re texting your ghetto fabulous homeboy.

Don’t talk about your exes.

You’re here to meet someone new, not to dish on the past.  A simple comment like, “I recently got out of a relationship and I am starting off new” is great!  Something like, “I was in a committed relationship for 5 years and my girlfriend just broke it off.  I loved her very much.  She cheated on me and…”  Stop.  Just stop.  This is a red flag, RED.  Not that many people want to date baggage.  Don’t dwell on the past and move on.

Don’t list your whole life on there.

Once again, do not bore me.  Do not make me think you haven’t done anything with your life if you can list it on a dating site.  Do not make me think I’m reading a novel.  If we start to talk, give me something to ask about.  By telling your whole story, chances are you’ve already gotten boring.

NEVER post any personal information.

I also mentioned this in the last post.  NEVER post your full name, phone number, Facebook, Twitter, address, work place, etc. on your profile.  You do not want some 280lb stranger hitting you in the head when you meet or a stage 5 clinger or identity theft.  Have common sense and be safe.

Don’t be creepy or incredibly weird.

This means no talking excessively about sex, your doll collection, excessive violence, strange interests, etc.  It’s not only a turn off but it is also worrisome.  It also means not using creepy pick up lines.

Don’t insult others.

Don’t insult other people on your profile and do not put down others.  This means no sexist comments, racist comments, negative religious views or generally offensive remarks.  Keep in mind that you can get reported to a site for this stuff and also keep in mind that you can get into a lot of trouble by what you say on the internet.  Some people have lost their jobs in the past due to negative remarks and others have gotten in trouble with the law.